News

Abena introduces world’s first Ecolabel burger wrapping paper

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Fast food packaging has long been criticized for its content of fluorinated substances which are suspected endocrine disruptors. Now, Abena, the large Danish manufacturer and wholesaler of disposables, is introducing the world’s first Ecolabel-certified burger wrapping paper. The sustainably produced paper contains no fluorinated substances.

America may be the birthplace of burgers and fast food as we know it, with an estimated 50 million meals(1) served each day. But in Europe, more and more people now dine out as well, and leave cooking to the professionals, compared to recent years.

According to statistics from Euromonitor International, the European fast food industry is expected to keep growing, with sales reaching EUR 12.6 billion in Germany by 2021(2), and EUR 19.35 in the United Kingdom alone(3). Add to that cafés and other takeout restaurants, the trend is clear.

This means the demand for fast food packaging for burgers, sandwiches, and other to-go meals increases, too. And this type of packaging has often been criticized for its content of fluorinated substances which are suspected endocrine disruptors.

The good news is that Abena - Danish manufacturer and wholesaler of healthcare products and disposables - is now ready to introduce the world’s first Ecolabel-certified burger wrapping paper. The Ecolabel standards specifically prohibit added fluorinated substances. To Martin Fabiansen, Head of Ecolabelling Denmark & Public Affairs, this is great news:

“We’re experiencing an increased focus on harmful chemicals in food packaging, like fluorinated substances, many of which are suspected endocrine disruptors. We’re delighted to know that fast food restaurants all over the world can now offer their customers this Ecolabel-certified burger wrapping paper and send a clear signal that the paper is free of fluorinated substances.”

The Ecolabel-certified burger wrapping paper is also fully sustainably produced. The paper is made from traceable FSC™ certified timber. The production, which takes place in the Rul-let factory, part of the Abena group, is energy efficient with minimized waste released into air and water supply systems.

To Abena, environmental concerns are a major priority:

“We work hard to reduce our CO2 footprint on the environment, not only in our own production but along our entire value chain. Environmental concerns and Ecolabel-certification of our products have become parts of our DNA. It makes me proud that our - already extensive - assortment of Ecolabel products now includes the world’s first Ecolabel-certified burger wrapping paper. The environmental impact has been minimized, the chemical content lives up to strict international regulations, and when customers order printed logos on their paper, even the print colors are Ecolabel-certified, which is rather unique”, says Arne Terp-Nielsen, Managing Director at The Abena Group.

Abena, founded in 1953, is a Danish, family-owned manufacturer and wholesaler of health care solutions, disposables and related products, headquartered in Aabenraa in Southern Denmark. The Abena Group, which is represented by subsidiaries in a long list of countries, supplies more than 25,000 products and operates in more than 80 countries across the globe.